The IOD aligns its projects and strategic initiatives with current and emerging national, regional, and state priorities related to individuals with disabilities. A majority of IOD grants and programs are concentrated within the following areas:
Assistive Technology, Community Living & Employment, Health & Genetics, Inclusive Early Care & Education

The IOD makes significant contributions to the body of knowledge related to disability through a variety of research and evaluation activities including data analysis, focus group facilitation, model demonstration projects, or project outcome evaluation.

The IOD supports the efforts of consumers and professionals to create more inclusive communities by providing local, regional, and national services, that represent current and emerging best practices.

DURHAM, N.H. – On Friday, April 6, 2018, the NH Leadership Series celebrated their 30th Anniversary at Fratello’s in Manchester, NH. During the celebration, Kathy Bates received the Brianna Dillon Leadership Award.

The most successful event thus far, more than 140 alumni, families, and supporters joined to celebrate 30 years of making an impact in New Hampshire, participate in fun raffle games, catch up with classmates, and raised more than $15,000 to support future years of NH Leadership.

During the event, Kathy Bates received the Brianna Dillon Leadership Award, for her decades of work as an advocate for people with disabilities in the areas of employment, self-directed care, education, and rights. This award is presented annually at the NH Leadership Reunion to an individual who has shown creative leadership in, and commitment to, the full participation of all people in the political and cultural life of New Hampshire. An alumna of the NH-ME LEND program, she has worked extensively with the NH Leadership Series, People First NH, and SALT (Self-Advocacy Leadership Team), and taught classes at Great Bay Community College and the University of New Hampshire. She currently runs Wings and Wheels Consulting Services where she works on a number of projects, including the blog, From Where I Sit, and the New Hampshire Disability & Public Health Project.

“Kathy’s contribution to NH citizens has been frequent, dependable, and lasting over many, many years. She has been such a strong force in helping people find their voice and use it to create improvements and change. She has been a valued group leader at the NH Leadership Series for many years and brings warmth, humor, and insights into every session.”

The 30th Anniversary Celebration was supported by many individuals and organizations across the state. Thank you to our Gold Sponsor, Community Crossroads, and Silver Sponsor, Living Innovations.

NH Leadership is an intensive, eight-month program that provides leadership and advocacy training for individuals with disabilities and their family members. Since 1988, the program has been a pivotal change experience for family members and adults with disabilities by providing state-of-the-art information and strategies to effect change on disability-related issues locally and across the state. As a result of the work of its hundreds of alumni, NH has achieved national recognition for its innovative approaches to supporting people with disabilities and their families in their communities. Alumni of the program have passed state legislation, founded advocacy organizations, and serve at all levels of New Hampshire local and state government. For more information visit www.nhleadership.org.

The Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire was established in 1987 to provide a university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. Its mission is to promote full access, equal opportunities, and participation for all persons by strengthening communities and advancing policy and systems change, promising practices, education, and research.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students.